Querying a specific agent.

Mr Mojo Risin' · May 17, 2007

I'm sure this is a silly question, but I don't want to trip at such a late hurdle - I plan to submit my query/sample chapters to a specific agent at an agency. The address given for sumbissions is simply 'Submissions Department'. So should I address the package to the submissions department, and address the query letter inside to the specific agent, or should I address the package to the specific agent too?

Soccer Mom · May 17, 2007

Send it to the specific agent you are querying.

LBW66 · May 17, 2007

I agree. Submissions Dept. c/o ________
-Laura

ccarver30 · May 17, 2007

Or
Submissions Dept
Attn: Jane Smith
100 First Ave
Publishmybook, NY 10010

Will Lavender · May 17, 2007

ccarver30 said:
Or
Submissions Dept
Attn: Jane Smith
100 First Ave
Publishmybook, NY 10010

I believe Jane Smith got a NOT RECOMMENDED on P&E, ccarver. I queried her and it took her 3 years and 9 months to respond. When she finally got back to me, she asked for a paragraph. Just one paragraph. Don't know what that's about, but I sent her four paragraphs just for spite.

Turns out, Publishmybook is not even a real city. It's just a mail drop.

Mr Mojo Risin' · May 17, 2007

Thanks for the replies. In a related question, is it always best to query a specific agent? If that agent rejects, but there are other agents on staff who may be interested, would it reach their eyes? If sent simply to the submissions department, would it be forwarded to the agent most likely to be interested?

ccarver30 · May 17, 2007

Will Lavender said:
I believe Jane Smith got a NOT RECOMMENDED on P&E, ccarver. I queried her and it took her 3 years and 9 months to respond. When she finally got back to me, she asked for a paragraph. Just one paragraph. Don't know what that's about, but I sent her four paragraphs just for spite.

Turns out, Publishmybook is not even a real city. It's just a mail drop.

You're funny. You should be a writer. :tongue

Soccer Mom · May 17, 2007

Check the agency's website. Some say that once you've queried one agent you have queried the agency because they pass them on if someone else might be interested. Others say that you can query another agent in-house if one rejects you.

And yes, always query a specific agent. You're trying to make a specific match.

ccarver30 · May 17, 2007

Mr Mojo Risin' said:
Thanks for the replies. In a related question, is it always best to query a specific agent? If that agent rejects, but there are other agents on staff who may be interested, would it reach their eyes? If sent simply to the submissions department, would it be forwarded to the agent most likely to be interested?

You shouldn't query more than one agent at the same Agency.

justpat · May 17, 2007

ccarver30 said:
You shouldn't query more than one agent at the same Agency.

At least not at the same time.

Querying a specific agent.

Mr Mojo Risin'

Soccer Mom

Crypto-fascist

LBW66

ccarver30

Nicole Castro

Will Lavender

Everything is what it seems.

Mr Mojo Risin'

ccarver30

Nicole Castro

Soccer Mom

Crypto-fascist

ccarver30

Nicole Castro

justpat

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